5 Things I Would've Done Differently

If I could do it all over again...

• I wouldn't have worried so much about numbers. My bridal party, for example, was uneven after a bridesmaid opted out. Instead of just letting it be that way, I asked my brother's girlfriend. Almost a year later, they've broken up and she will forever be in my wedding photos. All for the sake of keeping it even. 
• I would've booked the best photographer available and adjusted my budget accordingly. (cautionary tale on wedding photography) I also would've compiled a list of shots I wanted from my photographer. I hate seeing adorable photos on Pinterest and wishing I had a similar one. 
• I would've looked into hosting our ceremony and reception at the same location. It would've saved us the hassle of booking a limo, given us more time for pictures and allowed the guests time to relax instead of traveling in between.
• I would've done a "first look" with my groom! Those shots are to die for and I love the idea of having that special moment alone, rather than in front of an audience.

Brooke G Images

Irish Eyes Photography

• I would've hosted a morning-after brunch. Rather than leaving for our honeymoon first thing the next morning, I would've waited a few hours and spent some time with all of our out of town guests at a small breakfast. It would've allowed us to spend more quality time with family and not be rushing to the airport.

What types of things do you imagine you'll regret if you don't do them?
Or if you're already married, what are the things you'd do over if you could? Comment below and tell me your thoughts!

Also, please take a moment to complete this short survey I've compiled to better serve my future brides and grooms. All results are anonymous, so please be honest! Thank you in advance!

Giveaway Winner & Bridesmaid Tips

Last week, we celebrated 100 likes on our Facebook page with a stylish giveaway. Since then, our likes have doubled and we've gained some more lovely readers. 

The winner of the $50 Kiki La'Rue gift card is Amanda Kiebler! Congratulations, Amanda!

Thank you all for entering! And if you are still dying for some KLR goodies, make sure you like them on Facebook, because they are always hosting their own giveaways. In fact, they will be giving away $250 in gift cards when they reach 10,000 likes, so share, share, share (the photo below) for your chance to grab some freebies. 

And now for today's post, I want to focus on something that doesn't get a lot of attention on the blog: the bridal party. No one wants to be the bothersome bridesmaid, so today I'm sharing with you tips on how to not only avoid that, but blow the bride away with your fabulous bridesmaid abilities!

Until you've experienced it once, the responsibilities you take on when you agree to be in a wedding may not be exactly clear...er followed. Being a bridesmaid isn't just about getting the bride drunk one night, gifting a few items from her registry and showing up in the dress she chose for you. And sometimes those extra responsibilities are either overlooked entirely or just unknown.

Feministing

From beginning to end, this is what the timeline of a bridesmaid will look like:

• Get fitted for and order your dress. (Hint: Try not to be this girl...)

• Coordinate shower plans with the other bridesmaids and maid of honor
• Purchase gifts (either off the registry or something you're SURE she wants) for the shower, engagement and wedding
• Purchase shoes and accessories for wedding day, with the bride's approval
• Assist bride with wedding errands, projects and decisions when she asks
• Attend rehearsal and dinner
• Arrive on wedding-morning on time (or early) and stand by the bride as she marries the man of her dreams!

And if you really want to be super-bridesmaid, and trust me, you'll want to stay on the brides' good side, because her emotions will be crazy (and you can't blame her)! Here's some tips:

• Don't offer your opinion unless asked. Remember this is not your day!
• Don't complain to the bride about anything wedding-related. If you're having an issue with something minor, figure it out on your own or talk to someone else who can help.
• Keep the bride's wishes in mind. Keep her likes and dislikes in mind when making shower and bachelorette party plans.
• Work as a team with the other members of the bridal party. Do not argue, try to take over or dismiss thoughts and opinions of the other girls. 

• Offer often to help with wedding plans
• Be thoughtful. Friendships and relationships can change a lot during an engagement. The little things you do for her during this time will be remembered always!
• Be patient with her! She's got a lot on her mind and a to-do list that seemingly never ends. Keep that in mind when she's slow to return your call or text.
• And on the flip-side of that, keep her in check! Don't let her entire life be taken over by the wedding and remind her the world is still moving outside of wedding plans. She will thank you for it later, if not immediately!
• Be a friend, a support-system and a sister. Stand proudly next to her as she says "I do" and celebrate excitedly with her all night and send her off to a wonderful honeymoon with her new hubby!

Would you add any other items to the list? Comment below and tell me what you think are the best and worst traits or actions of a bridesmaid.

Cautionary Tale about Wedding Photography

It's not often that I get too personal on this blog and that's because it's not about me...it's about you! I write these posts, add beautiful images, contact talented vendors and work hard for all of my brides and grooms, in an effort to make your wedding planning a little bit easier. Because even if you choose not to hire me, I still want to help you! But today, I am going to write a little about me to help you.

I spent 14 long months planning the perfect wedding on a small budget. I was still very young (20), living with my parents, while my soon-to-be hubby was working hard to pay off his student loans and working an extremely demanding job. Thankfully, my amazing parents offered to pay for our wedding.  I paid for small things here and there, but the overall expense was left on my parents.

In all the years I had spent reading magazines and bridal blogs, choosing the elements of my dream wedding, I knew it was an expensive event, yes, but I did not realize the real price tags of individual items until it was time to pay for them, and my parents were even more shocked than I was. This was the moment my real passion for planning weddings on a budget was born. I was determined to find an affordable option for everything. And choosing a photographer was where I began. After already booking one, I ran into an old family friend, who after congratulating me, reminded me she was a photographer. Knowing her and feeling comfortable with her, I went home, checked out her portfolio and prices and cancelled with the first photographer to book the family friend.

Biggest. Mistake. Ever.

A few months later, our engagement photos had turned out gorgous and communication was going smooth. On the day of the wedding, I felt that things went better than planned...until I thought back and realized a lot of the shots I had requested weren't taken. A few days later, I called my mom from our honeymoon, cried a little bit, but then reassured myself that I was overreacting and that my pictures would be beautiful!

Then, three months later and I get the photos in the mail. All that I can remember, after anxiously popping the CD into my computer, is tears streaming down my face. I cried a lot. And I cried for days. Instead of the typical thousands of images from a wedding, I received less than 800. Instead of flawlessly edited photos, I received blurry, dark, far away, awkward and duplicate shots. (These examples are the best of the bad, being that the awful ones are still on a CD in my office that I don't particularly want to look at.)

 

Even with two photographers, there is one photo of our first kiss and well, it sucks!

There is not a single photo of my husband and I at the altar. Not a single photo of my brother with my family and I. There are only a tiny handful of pictures that the hubs & I are even alone in...and most of them aren't very good. No photos of our first toast (except this staged one she asked to take as she was gathering her things and leaving the reception...)

I am still sad and I will always regret my decision and wish I had better photos to remember this day by. Thankfully, this photographer has sinced removed wedding photography from her list of services on her website so no other couples will have to go through what we did.

You can have the wedding photos you've always dreamed of or even better, if you make better decisions than I did. Here are some tips and things to look for in a photographer...

Don't book a photographer unless:

• you see several full wedding albums they have done in the last few years
• you read reviews online or ask for reviews or contact information from previous clients
• their main (or one of their main) focus(es) is weddings/ engagements
• they have a team or second photographer working with them
• they are professional!

Things to look for:

• good standing with the BBB
• referrals from other local wedding vendors
• they've been featured on wedding blogs/ websites
• awards from prominent wedding businesses and sites
• archives and portfolio listed on their website
• good editing skills in their work 
• check out their facebook page for recent activity
• a reasonable rate (you get what you pay for!)

Please feel free to contact me for any assistance in finding the right vendors for your wedding. Comment below and tell me what other things you think could be added to this list of things to look for!

Wedding Budget: Cuts to Avoid

No matter what your wedding budget is, it's likely that you will be looking for ways to cut costs where possible. And why not? There are so many small things you can do or change that will make a huge difference in the overall amount of money you will spend.  But there are endless amounts of articles about how to pinch your wedding pennies. However, there aren't a lot of articles explaining the things you should avoid cutting back on.

• Don't host a cash bar: Just don't do it. Alcohol can amount to a a large percentage of the costs for your reception, but you can host an open bar on the cheap. It's so common nowadays to go to a wedding serving only beer, wine, soda and signature drinks or a combination of the four. If your reception location allows you to bring your own alcohol, buy some kegs and plenty of wine and you will save big! If you're looking to save even more, think about hosting a morning bruch and serving only mimosas or even going sans alcohol.

Photo Credit: Wedding Bee

• Don't skip table decor: Centerpieces are the focal point of each table and an essential element of your reception decor. A room full of bare tables says restaurant, not wedding reception. Flowers are not the only option for centerpieces either. Think outside the box, but within your theme and use items that are unique to you.

Photo Credit: Benfield Photography

• Don't cut videography: This is often one of the first things to go when cutting costs, but it shouldn't be! Read what wedding pros, MPA Productions have to say about this essential service here.

• Don't serve food just because it's cheap: A deciding factor is your guests' enjoyment is how much they did or didn't enjoy their meal. Taste tests, whenever possible, are extremely helpful in making sure your guests will leave feeling satisfied and not heading for the nearest McDonald's. If the delicious catering service you prefer is out of your price range, think about serving an hors d'oeurves buffet in place of dinner or a brunch reception instead of heavy evening meal.

• Don't ditch the favors: Your guests may have plans to cancel, work to skip and traveling to do in order to attend your event. And aside from that, the people who attend your wedding have contributed a lot to get you and your groom to this point in your lives. For both of these reasons, they deserve a small thank you. 

Photo Credit: Steven Myers Photography and Once Wed

There are so many ways you should save money on your wedding costs. And if you need further assistance, email me and I would love to help you!

What do you all think about these no-no's? Are there any others you think should be added to the list?

Luxury Honeymoon on a Budget

It's Monday, there's snow on the ground here in Indiana and the sun is nowhere in sight. After a short bout of writer's block this morning, the topic of the day was obvious: HONEYMOON!

Paradise Point in San Diego

Whether you're just engaged, halfway through or somewhere in between, dreams of your honeymoon are dancing in your head (maybe behind the list of decisions to make...but they're there). The tradition of an immediate vacation following a wedding is pretty ingenious if you think about it. A week with your new hubs, getting tan and relaxing on the beach sounds so dreamy, it will get you through the most stressful days of wedding plans.

Unless you're one of the lucky few receiving your honeymoon as a gift or planning your own with an unlimited budget, you probably want a luxury trip without breaking the bank.

If you're not already on the mailing list for sites like Groupon and Living Social, you are passing up prime opportunities to save money on 5-star resorts. Or if you already have your options narrowed down but don't like the prices, try Funjet for savings on resorts, airfare, vehicles and activities. Try searching specifically for all-inclusive resorts (especially in Mexico) where everything you could possibly need is at your fingertips and included in your price!

The newest fad in honeymoons are cruises. And why not? Virtually everything is included in the price, (minus alcohol) and the opportunity to visit multiple locations is a serious bonus! Generally, unless you're booking a stay on a brand-new ship, cruise prices are extremely affordable and even more so in the off season! (Bonus for winter brides!!) You can easily book a 5-7 day cruise for two for around $1000 plus airfare. Try using this site to search cruises by port, length, desitnation and cruiseline. Searching by port location is so helpful  because you can save even more money by choosing a port that is the least expensive to fly to or within driving distance from where you live.

Staying within the country will also save you big, especially if you don't already have passports. The United States offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Think San Diego (I highly suggest Paradise Point!) and the Florida Keys. Or opt for a different climate entirely. Research the options in Northern California, Colorado or Maine. You'd be suprised at the appeal of a non-traditional honeymoon location and the romance to be found at a cabin in the mountains, a trip to the vineyard, or a bed & breakfast on the East coast.

When all else fails, try a local travel agent and see what options they have for you. I am certainly no travel agent and don't claim to be, but I do have a knack for finding amazing deals on travel, within a couple's budget, so if you're still looking for more ideas or interested in more information, email me, I'd love to help!

Have you "liked" us on Facebook yet? Head over to our page and check it out! We are only 10 "likes" away from our first giveaway!

Guest Post: MPA Weddings

In the short time that I've been blogging and growing my wedding planning business, I've had the opportunity to network with and "meet" so many talented faces of the wedding industry, from all over the country. Thanks to the social-networking abilities of Twitter, I have been introduced to some of my new favorite wedding blogs and vendors. So today, I would like to introduce you to one of them, the award-winning photography/ videography duo of MPA Weddings, Mandy & Adam.

Mandy so cleverly apporoached me about discussing the importance of videography and I'm so thankful that she did. Because if there's one thing that I want my brides to know, it's the importance of the two things you're left with after the celebration is over: photo & video.

      "A wedding video is the most valuable part of a wedding that too many brides overlook.  I can’t even begin to recount how many times people say to me, “I wish I would have had a wedding videographer.”  Shortly after our clients receive their wedding video, we get notes from older siblings and parents letting us know just how much they feel they missed out at their own weddings.  Maybe it’s the way new technology has enabled us to capture such beautiful, cinematic footage of weddings without having to charge and arm and a leg, or maybe it’s that the moments of a wedding (though they take forever to plan) pass by in the blink of an eye.  Whatever it is, the value of a wedding video has never been higher. 

It’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a video is a thousand words and a thousand pictures.  For anyone that is on the fence about hiring a professional wedding videographer or anyone that wants reassurance that they are making one of the best decisions of their lives, there are 5 essential reasons why deciding against capturing your day on video is a big mistake.

      1.     Memories Fade.   With each passing year, the stories get shorter and names change.  The original speech your brother gave that made everyone laugh slowly morphs into what you argue may have been a zinger from dad or a wise crack from a cousin.  When your 25^th anniversary arrives, you have an easier time recalling what you ate, than what anybody said or did.  Fortunately, you have your wedding movie to help you remember.

      2.     Blink Of An Eye.  You spend months (or even years) planning an event that comes and goes in a matter of hours.  As the bride and groom, you start your day getting dressed and moving from one place to the next.  The ceremony comes and goes in a matter of minutes.  After your photo shoot, you are eating dinner and listening to speeches, still trying to comprehend that you just got married!  Next thing you know, your friends and family are seeing you off and you wake up the next morning feeling like you had just been through a whirlwind.  At that point, there is no better feeling than knowing that in a few weeks, you’ll be receiving your wedding video and will have the chance to figure out exactly where the day went.

      3.     What You May Have Missed.  As the bride is the last one to walk down the isle, she clearly wont be able to see the bridal party walk before her or her niece throwing the flowers that took months to arrange.  She will miss her dog trotting the ring down the isle and the laughter of the crowd when they see the adorable arrival sign her nephew carried.  Fleeting moments like these are forever gone and will never be seen by the bride…unless of course you have a wedding video.

  

      4.     Words Are Worth A Thousand Pictures.  Your maid of honor “googled” every brides maid speech ever written and the best man spent weeks combing through draft after draft trying to figure out the best balance of heart felt and funny.   Your father contemplated for years what he would say when the day would come when he would have to give his little girl away.  You spent lifetimes dreaming of your vowels and shed love filled tears trying to deliver them.  Some moments deserve more than just a picture.  They deserve a wedding video.

      5.     You’re The Star.  Let’s face it, for most of us there will only be a few moments in our lives when all eyes are on us and only one time when we spend months and years planning and preparing to have a celebration of our own personal love.  For one night only, you and your lover are the stars of a beautiful love story that you got to design and direct.  Your wedding is your own personal piece of time, an art piece that should be treasured forever.  To not capture the event as completely as possible would be a disservice to all the beauty the moment has to offer.  

It breaks my heart every time I hear “I wish I would have gotten a wedding video.”  I know that there is no way to go back in time and film those moments that have come and gone.  As a wedding photographer, I know the power of capturing a single moment.  As a wedding videographer, I know the power of capturing time itself."

Ready to see this talented team in action? Check out the photos and video from the gorgeous October 2012 wedding of Megan & Rad:

"Adam Chase and his partner, Mandy Philips, co-founded MPA Productions and MPA Weddings.  With a strong passion for wedding photography and wedding videography, Adam brings a unique new style to the wedding industry. Adam has a knack for creating comfortable settings for his clients. His studies from University of Colorado and University of Maryland enable Adam to combine audio and visual skills into epic wedding experiences. Contact adam@mpaweddings.com and visit www.mpaweddings.com for more information."

Thank you so much, Mandy and Adam for sharing such an informative article, that I think is a must-read for every bride & groom! Please make sure to check out MPA Weddings on Facebook and Twitter to see more!

How to Plan a Wedding Without Losing your Sanity

If you have been keeping up with recent posts, you may be inclined to think that planning a wedding is sunshine and roses from start to finish. Don't get me wrong, with an online wedding planner, wedding planning is easier! But, I'm not going to tell you that you won't have moments where you want to make a run for Vegas and call it quits on all the plans. Yes, I love weddings, they are my passion in this life, but I can't say I didn't have a small handful of "bridezilla" moments during my own 14-month engagement. So whether you're on the verge of losing it now or just having a bad day, sit back, read on and file this little advice post away for future reference.

                                                                      

If you're looking for an instant cure for your frustrations, you need to laugh and be entertained. After my wedding was over, I found a new love for following other bloggers and became instantly obsessed when I found Mama Laughlin's blog about her journey of getting fit, raising two (handsome) boys and looking hot doing it! And then she introduced her readers to Skinny Meg, a bubbly mom of one who lost over 100 pounds and shares her tips and sparkly, chevron style with the world. I kid you not, these women are hilarious! If you don't read their blogs, follow them on instagram, facebook, keek and pinterest, you should start...like, now!

photo credits: Mama Laughlin & Skinny Meg

That brings me to my next point, getting fit and getting engaged go together just as new years resolutions and gym memberships. So go for a run, lift some weights, or take Megan's advice and get in some squats! Trust me when I tell you, sweating cures it all!

Let's get to the real cure for any women's ailment and that's shopping. Of course you could go to your local mall or my second home Target and walk out with a whole new outlook on life or you could stay home in your jammies and shop at the most amazing online boutique ever, Kiki La'Rue. If you follow All Tulled Up on Facebook, then you know my obsession with this store runs deep. You can read more about that here and then immediately after, go buy some cute stuff from them and tell them I sent you!

Piko Top                           

Split Decision Dress

Short Sleeve Piko Dress

Most importantly and in all seriousness, spend time with your friends, family and fiance, minus the wedding discussion. Call up your best friend and go out for a girls day. See a movie, get your nails done or meet for dinner and drinks. Make any wedding-related talk off-limits at least one day a week. If you want these people around after you're married (kidding...kind of), remember to give them a break from your wedding once in a while and ask them about what's going on in their lives too.

And don't forget to do the same on date nights with your guy. Spend time at home getting your guest lists together and venting about wedding-related frustrations and then leave that all at home when you head out for a night out together. It will remind you that outside of wedding plans, life is still there.

Remember you're likely to be more sensitive to little things because you're overwhelmed with everything else. Blow past those minor mishaps and remember the real reason for all the madness...

                                                                Source: elementofelegance.com via Meaghan Shelton on Pinterest

Attendant Gifts: 5 Ways to Wow your Ring Bearer & Flower Girl

Hopefully this mini-series on attendant gifts has helped take the frustration out of buying for your bridal party. The hardest part, by far, is choosing for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. So with that out of the way, this third and final post will be dedicated to the best part: the little ones!

When it comes to ring bearers, flower girls, junior brides(maids)/ grooms(men), your gifts of choice can definitely be less formal and more fun. That's not to say that you can't give monogrammed and fancy items, because for the right kid, you can! Just remember (especially with the youngest ones) that toys are always more appreciated than, well...anything else!

• Something Similar: Especially if the kiddos will be with the wedding party when getting ready for the wedding, think about giving them similar if not the same gifts as the adults. Let's say you've decided to get your maids matching, monogrammed button-downs for the morning-of...have one made in your flower girl's size so she can feel like a part of the group!

Photo Credits: Millie'sGifts, SomethingGlitzy, ThePinkPixieShop, LittleGentlemen

• One-on-One Time: Spend the day with him or her! As part of their gift, spend an afternoon getting pedicures, going to the baseball game or grabbing lunch.

• Something to Play with: Go straight for their little hearts and get them the toy they've been dying to have! Or better yet, get them a gift card and let them pick out whatever they want.

Photo Credits: Melissa & Doug, Amazon, Build-a-Bear Workshop

• Something Personalized: Personalized items are still a good idea! Just make sure it's something they will use, like a monogrammed backpack for school.

Photo Credits: stargazinglilly, TheStylishLetter, Gator Tots, Pottery Barn Kids

• Something to Keep them Busy: If they don't fall asleep by the end of the night, chances are the kids of your wedding party will be bored at some point. Think ahead and grab them some activity/ coloring books, crayons and small toys they can entertain themselves with! (The Dollar Store has GREAT options for this!!)

Photo Credits: The Dollar Tree, Walmart, Five Below, Melissa & Doug

Well, that wraps up the series on attendant gifts! Do you have more questions or a post you'd love to see on the blog? Comment below and tell me! I'd love to hear from you!

Perfect Wedding-Day Hair

Some brides have a vision of their wedding-day hair from the beginning of their wedding plans, while others (like myself) have dozens of styles in mind! Of course, there are general guidelines depending on the amount of detail in your dress design and neckline, but what many brides don't consider is their everyday look when it comes to choosing hair and makeup for their wedding day. Basically, you don't want to look like a completely different person, you want to look like an enhanced version of yourself.

Source: lovelyweddingday.com via Meaghan Shelton on Pinterest

While there are brides with a natural talent for styling their own hair, it's generally the exception to the rule. Spend the months prior to your big day looking for the perfect hairstylist by searching the internet and asking friends and family for references. When doing your research, remember that the most expensive salon isn't always the best one! Before booking your wedding day appointment or even your trial, head to the salon for a cut, color or just a style. This way, you can get a feel for the staff and talent without being tied down to anything.

For my St. Louis area brides, I highly suggest Illusions Color Spa for their high-quality product lines, exceptional customer service, talented staff, range of services and reasonable prices.You can check out their bridal packages here. And while you're there, you also have access to their (almost finished) brand-new spa and massage therapy!

 For my brides in the rest of the country, Style Me Pretty has a fantastic list of local vendors in their Little Black Book, which features only the best of every category!

When you finally decide on the perfect stylist, make sure you set up a trial appointment, where you can see what you like and don't like and have an idea of your wedding day hair beforehand. Typically, you'll want to bring your hair accessories and veil for placement as well. Speaking of accessories, let's talk about some of my new faves, shall we?

I have been obsessed with KM2 Shoes since my own wedding, and they continue to amaze me with their new designs. As you can tell, they sell much more than just shoes.

Left to right: Heather, Grace, Kate

I've also had my eye on these Etsy beauties...

Photo Credit: Alice Hart Couture

Photo Credit: BijouxandCouture

Photo Credit: LeBlancFleur

While you're checking out the hair accessories, take a look at all the beautiful veils on Etsy. You will be amazed how much you can save compared to the prices of the bridal salons. I knew I wanted a simple, cathedral length veil for the ceremony. For the brides planning to wear their veil all night or just dreaming of a breathtaking mantilla veil, proceed to the bridal salon! :)

Left Photo: Illusions (& my personal) stylist, Lisa, Right Photo Credit: Wedding Veils

Last but certainly not least, I'll leave you with some of the most glamorous and romantic bridal hairstyles! You can see more when you follow me on Pinterest!

Photo Credit: SMP

Photo Credit: SMP

Source: theknottybride.com via Meaghan Shelton on Pinterest

Source: southernsororitygirl.tumblr.com via Meaghan Shelton on Pinterest

What are some of your favorite bridal hairstyles and accessories? Comment below, I'd love to see them!